There’s something going around the Panthers locker room – last Saturday, Eric Reid was a late addition to the injury report and this week, both Reggie Bonnafon and Vernon Butler have missed practice due to illness, although the backup running back may have missed practice because of something he ate.
“I think Reggie was more food [poisoning] and Vernon – it’s that time of year,” said Perry Fewell. “I know we just sent him home to quarantine him and we’ll find out tomorrow.”
No word on what the running back ate (#journalism), but Bonnafon, who missed Wednesday’s practice, was a full participant on Thursday; the Panthers may be without linebacker Shaq Thompson, who injured his ankle late in last week’s loss to the Seahawks and missed the final two plays on defense – that ankle injury will likely keep Thompson, who has had the best year of his career in 2019 and was recently rewarded with a four-year extension, out for Sunday’s game against Indianapolis.
“He’s struggling with the ankle, [so] I’m going to say he’s doubtful right now,” said Fewell, adding that the coaches would know more tomorrow. If Thompson isn’t able to go, the Panthers will lean on second-year ‘backer Jermaine Carter, Jr., who has gotten a healthy amount of reps in practice throughout the season and while he’s played a lot on special teams, Carter has seen over 25% of the snaps on defense in five games already this season, including last week vs. Seattle.
“We feel good about him having an increased role, he’s just a young player that’s got a great attitude, great energy; he’s got a nice skillset, very similar to Shaq’s,” said defensive coordinator Eric Washington. “He can rush the quarterback, we feel great about his key recognition as an off-ball linebacker, you can play him on the ball a little bit, so he’ll do a good job, we’re getting him ready,”
Curtis Samuel was limited, but Fewell said that was more for rest than because of an injury. Check out the full injury report below:
| Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reggie Bonnafon | Illness | Full | |
| Mario Addison | Shoulder | None | |
| Marquis Haynes | Knee | ||
| Gerald McCoy | Knee | Full | |
| Garrett McGhin | Ankle | None | |
| Eric Reid | Shoulder | Full | |
| Christian McCaffrey | Rest | Full | |
| Shaq Thompson | Ankle | None | |
| Curtis Samuel | Knee | Limited | |
| Vernon Butler | Illness | None | |
| Greg Olsen | Concussion | Full | Olsen has cleared the concussion protocol. |
